A first-year student at Kyambogo University has tragically passed away after sustaining critical burns in a fire at his rented accommodation in Bweyogerere.

The deceased has been identified as Bumba Juma, who was enrolled in the Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics Management programme and attached to Nanziri Hall.

Juma succumbed to his injuries at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment following the incident.

The university’s student guild confirmed the sad news on Saturday through an official notice.

The statement read: “We hereby inform you of the passing on of Mr Bumba Juma, registration number 25/U/PLE/08178/PE, a first-year, second-semester student in the Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics Management, attached to Nanziri Hall. Mr Bumba Juma passed away this morning at Kiruddu Hospital, where he was admitted after being burnt in his rental in Bweyogerere town.”

According to reports, the fire broke out when a cooking coil exploded in Juma’s room while he was preparing food.

Some accounts on social media mentioned that the evening student, who was staying in the Kireka area, was involved in the incident.

Neighbours quickly responded to the scene and assisted, though full details of the event remain unclear.

As of the latest reports, neither the police nor university authorities had officially confirmed the exact cause of the fire.

In response to the tragedy, Kyambogo University stated that it has covered all costs related to embalming, transportation, and burial in accordance with its Student Burial Policy.

Juma is scheduled to be buried in Kamonkoli Kerene Village, Budaka District.

The university also announced that, following Ministry of Health guidelines on Ebola prevention, it will not send any delegation to attend the burial.